PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23908, 11 June 1941, Page 12

PARLIAMENT

BRIEF SESSION OPENS TRIBUTES TO DECEASED MEMBERS (P.A. WELLINGTON, June 10. When. Parliament resumed this afternoon, the desk formerly occupied by Captain W. J. Lyon, the member for Waitomata, who was (killed in action recently, was draped with the Union Jack, on which rested a laurel wreath bearing an oppropriate inscription from his colleagues. Most of the afternoon wag devoted to obituary motions, and though the late Mr Peter M'Skimming, a former member for Clutha. was in Parliament only during the period 1931-35, there were several who could speak sincerely of his great personal qualities when the motion recording his public services went on record. * Mr Nash, who moved it. recalled Mr M'Skimmiug’s rather severe outlook on life, though he had a warm heart. Ho made no secret of the fact that he regarded hard work as the basis of sound citizenship. He was incapable of playing the ordinary political game because he had no time to work out how to say things effectively. Whatever he touched prospered. He was one of our foremost industrialists,” declared the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Holland. Being essentially a man of action, Mr M'Skimming found that the rather leisurely atmosphere of Parliament made little appeal. Sir A. (Ransom agreed that the late member for Clutha had expressed the opinion that he was only wasting his time in Parliament. (However, Sir Alfred thought he might, with longer experience, have realised that there were great opportunities of doing good in that sphere. His life was one of good deeds in his desire to help his fellow men SIR JAMES PARR. Moving a motion of appreciation of the services of the late Sir James Parr and condolence with his relatives, the Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, referred to his distinguished career, both in New Zealand and as High Commissioner for the Dominion in Loudon. Sir James, Mr Nash said, had left a distinctive mark in the political history of this country. He was respected for Ids keenness and his work of development, and was widely noted for his progressive outlook. He was distinguished for his civic and national progress, and was a New Zealander of tho first type. Seconding tho motion, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, said that Sir James Parr hud left behind him a record of distinguished public service. His six years as a Minister of the Crown had given him a wide experience, and he was one of the very few _ who had had the opportunity of serving the Dominion for two terms as its High Commissioner in London. After members cm both sides of the House, and also Mr J. A. Lee, representing tho Democratic Labour Party, had added their tributes, the motion was passed, CAPTAIN W. J. LYON. Moving a .similar motion in connection with Captain TV. J. Lyon, the member for Waitomata, who was killed in action recently, Mr Nash said that Captain Lyon had represented tho Waitcnuita electorate in the House since 1935. He was chairman of the Defence Committee of the House, and had been quo of the first members to enlist on tho outbreak of the present wa.r. Pie had been killed in action a .few days ago, at tho age of 43 years. Members of the House would miss him, and they all felt lt r'i, cloepl - y tor Ws wife and children. Ho bad im unselfiish and genial nature, an d a 1 ' v '' l ° knew him respected him Mr Nash outlined how the first intimation of Captain Lyon’s death had conie in a cablegram from the. Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. Members would revere Captain Lyon’s memory, Mr Nash said, and they felt he had gone Horn the House to take his part in a high service for which he was particularly' qualified. Captan Lyon had fought in tho last war and this war, and he had also fought in a third wax-—namely, to bettor conditions for everyone. What they could do in the House was to see that he had not died in vain. Seconding the motion, Mr S. G. PJolland said that every member of the House would join 'with Mr Nash in his tribote to Captain Lyon, regardless of the party to which he belonged. They all knew Captain Lyon as one who was very well versed in defence matters, and be was one of the first volunteers from the House iu the present war. He was a groat admirer of Britain, and was one of the House’s leading debaters. P’ifteen other speakers from all sides ol’tho House also paid tribute to Captain Lyon. Similar motions were passed in connection with the deaths of Mr Peter M’Skimming and Sir Charles Manly Luke, a former member of the Legislative Council. Tho House adjourned at 5.10 until 2.30 to-mormw as a mark of respect to deceased legislators. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL When the legislative Council met at 2.30 this afternoon the Leader of the House. Hon. D. Wilson, moved the customary resolutions of appreciation of services rendered to New Zealand iu

respect of Sir James Parr and Sir Oliarles Manly Lake. The first motion was seconded by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and the second by the Hon. T. Brindle, and a number of councillors spoke to both resolutions. The Council adjourned as a mark of respect. It will resume at 10.30 on F rid ay.